News
SLPP MP asks FM for clarification
21-A prerequisite for IMF loan:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, owed an explanation as regards his claim that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had demanded the enactment of 21 Amendment to the Constitution as a prerequisite for the finalisation of USD 2.9 bn Extended Fund Facility Arrangement (EFFA) with Sri Lanka, retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, MP, said yesterday.
The SLPP MP said that the much-touted IMF loan hadn’t materialised yet though Sri Lanka had enacted the 21st Amendment on 21 Oct. In fact, there was no clear indication when the IMF facility would be made available in the coming year, the former Public Security Minister said.
MP Weerasekera said that he had voted against the 21st Amendment as he couldn’t under any circumstances support it after having voted for 20th Amendment. Of the 225-member parliament, 179 voted in favour, one against while 45 skipped the vote.
Weerasekera said that Minister Sabry had declared 21 Amendment as being a prerequisite for the IMF loan at a parliamentary group meeting chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat.
According to Weerasekera, Minister Sabry underscored the need for the enactment of the Amendment in response to his strong opposition to the move.
Lawmaker Weerasekera told The Island: “The government should make its position clear on the draft constitution prepared by a team led by Romesh de Siva PC. When the parliamentary group discussed the 21st Amendment, I pointed out the availability of constitutional proposals prepared by Romesh de Silva’s team that included Manohara de Silva, PC. That team undertook the project on the then Justice Minister Sabry’s request soon after the last parliamentary elections.”
MP Weerasekera opted out of the cabinet of ministers when the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa re-constituted the cabinet in April amidst political turmoil.
The former minister said that he expected the IMF to set the record straight. The IMF couldn’t justify interfering in purely a domestic matter, MP Weerasekera said while acknowledging there had been constant external interventions beginning with the 13th Amendment introduced at India’s behest.
Referring to Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) taking up the constitution making process during yahapalana administration and India raising the 13th Amendment at Geneva, MP Weerasekera said that interested parties seemed to be exploiting continuing economic-political-social crisis here to pursue their agendas.
“There is no point in denying the fact that we are vulnerable to foreign interference. Instead of reaching agreement on a workable plan to stabilize the economy, we are bending backwards to appease the Tamil National Alliance. Having recognized the LTTE as the sole representative of Tamil speaking people way back in 2001, the TNA today has the audacity to demand accountability on the part of the government,” MP Weerasekera said.
All political parties have also conveniently forgotten how the TNA jointly called for Northerners to boycott the 2005 presidential election, MP Weerasekera said.
The former Minister appreciated President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s readiness to reexamine his decision to grant Divisional Secretaries the power to deal with state land, including Mahaweli lands.
President Wickremesinghe assured the parliament on Dec 07 that a legal committee would be appointed to examine the issues at hand after MP Weerasekera, on a request made by him, got an opportunity to discuss the matter with the President.
The State giving up its authority on land should be examined against the backdrop of constant pressure being exerted on Sri Lanka for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, MP Weerasekera said.
Responding to another query, Weerasekera warned that external interventions would be intensified in the New Year as Sri Lanka sought further assistance to cope up with the economic crisis. If Minister Sabry’s declaration as regards IMF insistence on 21st Amendment is accepted, then the Washington headquartered organisation wanted some other demand or demands met, MP Weerasekera asked.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup
PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
Afghanistan refugee women’s team set for England tour under ECB initiative
DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features5 days agoSri Lankan Airlines Airbus Scandal and the Death of Kapila Chandrasena and my Brother Rajeewa
-
News6 days agoLanka’s eligibility to draw next IMF tranche of USD 700 mn hinges on ‘restoration of cost-recovery pricing for electricity and fuel’
-
News5 days agoKapila Chandrasena case: GN phone records under court scrutiny
-
News5 days agoRupee slide rekindles 2022 crisis fears as inflation risks mount
-
Features2 days agoOctopus, Leech, and Snake: How Sri Lanka’s banks feast while the nation starves
-
Business5 days agoExpansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka officially announced
-
News22 hours agoSteps underway to safeguard Sri Lanka’s maritime heritage
-
Features7 days agoMysterious Death of United Nations Secretary General Hammarskjöld